The Makita Cordless Grease Gun Makes Tedious Equipment Maintenance A Breeze
Makita’s 18V LXT lineup is expanding with the addition of their first cordless grease gun. The Makita cordless grease gun is a big upgrade over the more traditional hand pumps. To quote Will Smith from Men In Black II, “Old and busted…new hotness”.
Pros
- Long hose provides better access in hard-to-reach spaces
- Auto-Speed mode delivers precise flow rate
- Cuts down on maintenance time
- 10,000 PSI max pressure
- 10-ounce per minute max output
Cons
- A little heavier than other 18V grease guns
- No plunger markings to indicate remaining grease level
Makita Cordless Grease Gun Performance
Anyone who has experience operating heavy machinery knows it’s foolish to avoid the grease can. In my past life, I worked as a drill rig operator for a geotechnical engineering firm. Due to the nature of the machines we used, it was crucial to grease all moving parts daily in order to avoid any metal-on-metal contact. With that said, applying grease to 25 or 30 grease zerks is agony on your hands.
Automatic grease guns are not anything new to the market and we’re seeing more companies join the ranks. The first ones operated on a pneumatic system but newer cordless options let you ditch the air hose and compressor, making them incredibly convenient.
We connected with our trusted rancher Eli Mosley to see how the Makita cordless grease gun affects his equipment maintenance. He is responsible for several large tractors, a dozer, and a front-end loader along with some smaller equipment. Each piece has numerous fittings (pins, bushings, etc.) that require grease daily in order to keep working properly. If you don’t think this is a big deal, realize that some of these machines have literally dozens of fittings!
He’s been stuck in the dark ages using a hand greaser so going cordless shaved valuable time off his maintenance schedule. The high 10,000 PSI pressure and impressive 10-oz max grease output didn’t have any issue keeping up with the number of fittings and the amount of grease they need. When the time clock reads “sunup to sundown,” anything that saves you time means you’re able to get more work done to keep that ranch running like clockwork.
Makita Cordless Grease Gun Performance Design Notes
Speed Selection
The Makita XPG01 features a two-speed motor to help you dial in the pace of your greasing. Low is perfect for hitting bearings, small grease points, and topping off your daily checklist.
The Auto-Speed mode is awesome when you have a large quantity of grease because the pump can deliver up to 10 fl-oz of grease per minute. The automatic part of this mode varies the flow rate to match the resistance of the part receiving grease.
Under Pressure
Should the internal pressure exceed a critical level, grease will automatically flow from the pressure relief valve until it reaches a safe level. This can occur if you work in a particularly hot region or if you leave the tool in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time.
Grease Supply
As with most grease guns, the Makita cordless grease gun accepts standard tubes of grease as well as bulk grease, if you happen to have some on hand. The bleeder valve on the front makes priming incredibly easy. After releasing the plunger, just loosen the valve to release any trapped air and tighten it down when all the air has escaped. You’ll know you’re good to go when a small amount of grease comes out of the valve.
Ergonomics
This is Makita’s first cordless grease gun, they hit the nail on the head ergonomically. The straight handle is very similar to that of a top-handle jigsaw and comfortable to hold. To help manage the tool’s 11.3 weight (with 2.0Ah battery), there’s a removable shoulder strap and there’s a lock-on button for those large volume jobs.
LED Light
A front-mounted LED light eliminates the need for a flashlight or headlamp when working in low-light situations. Unlike many other power tools, the LED light doesn’t just come on when you pull the trigger. Instead, you need to hit the on/off switch if you want the light. It stays lit for about 60 seconds after you release the trigger.
What’s unusual is that you have to go through the process each time you want the light whether or not you used it on the previous trigger pull.
Hose Storage
A removable clip attaches on either side of the canister to the hose when it’s not in use. I like that you can hook it on either side. The hose is just over 47 inches long, so accessing hard-to-reach zerks isn’t an issue for the Makita. Whether you’re left or right-handed, you can run the hose opposite your carrying hand and avoid some extra grease stains on your pants.
Makita 18V Cordless Grease Gun Performance Price
The Makita XPG01 runs $239 as a bare tool or $299 with a 2.0Ah battery and charger. Both options carry a 3-year limited warranty. Compared to the other cordless grease guns out there, this is on the expensive side.
The Bottom Line
Makita’s cordless grease gun has the flow rate, hose length, and max output PSI to match up with any other option available but with a better build than most. While it does come at higher price than many of the other brands, it’s a big time-saver that supplements your other 18V LXT equipment maintenance tools well.
Makita Cordless Grease Gun Performance Specifications
- Model: Makita XPG01
- Power Source: Makita 18V battery system
- Max Flow Rate: 10 fl-oz. per minute
- Lock-on button: Yes
- 2-Speed Motor
- LED Worklight
- Hose Length: 47.25 in.
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Weight: 10.5 lbs (bare), 11.31 lbs (with 2.0 Ah battery)
- Max Output Pressure: 10,000 PSI
- Warranty: 3-year limited
- Price: $239.00 (bare), $299.00 (kit with battery and charger)
